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Afghan territory must not be used for terror activities, a joint declaration adopted by eight countries asserted on Wednesday. The declaration was a result of the Third Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan held in New Delhi.

Hosted by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, the Dialogue witnessed participation from Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. New Delhi had also invited China and Pakistan to join the talks, but the two countries chose not to accept the invitation.

In addition to specifying that the situation in Afghanistan could impact regional security, the declaration goes on to call for an open and inclusive government in Kabul.

The central government has ordered one crore doses of the coronavirus vaccine to the pharma company Zydus Cadila.

The three dose vaccine ZyCoV D was approved by the country s drug regulator in August for emergency use in adults and children aged 12 years and above It is the first Covid 19 vaccine that will be administered using a needle free applicator as opposed to traditional syringes.

As India begins work on the theaterisation plan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said that enhancing jointness is essential and that inputs from all stakeholders would be taken into consideration for the new structure.

In an address to the top commanders of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Rajnath Singh also mentioned the "volatile" situation on India's borders and stated that the armed forces must be ready to respond to any contingency on short notice.

The defence minister appreciated the IAF for maintaining a high level of preparedness, ability to respond on short notice and displaying high standards of professionalism in carrying out operational and peacetime tasks.

India will host security czars of Russia, Iran and five central Asian countries for a security dialogue on Afghanistan on Wednesday that will explore firming up a common approach for practical cooperation in confronting increasing threats of terrorism, radicalisation and drug trafficking following the Taliban's takeover of Kabul.

The Ministry of External Affairs had on Monday officially announced that India will host the 'Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan' on November 10.

According to a statement issued by the MEA, this National Security Advisors' level dialogue on Afghanistan will witness expanded participation of Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, who will all be represented by their respective National Security Advisers or Secretaries of the Security Councils.